A collection of automobile thefts this week has tainted a global AAA hockey match on the Pierrefonds Sportsplexe.
Groups with a number of the finest 12-year-old hockey gamers on the planet have travelled to Montreal from throughout North America and elements of Europe to compete.
“It is a vital match for this age bracket. The competitors is nice,” stated Roberto Gomez, ambassador for the Triple Crown Conflict Tremendous Collection.
4 vehicles have been stolen on Wednesday and Thursday exterior the world.
Mother or father Joe Meyer stated he parked the automobile round 4 p.m., and once they left the rink at 7 p.m., it was gone.
“I went search for the automobile, realized the automobile wasn’t there, noticed a bunch of glass on the bottom, and assumed it was stolen,” he stated.
All the vehicles had U.S. licence plates.
“, sadly, it’s what it’s. I simply have three children, making an attempt to determine the way to get dwelling, again over the border and get to and from the rink and lodge,” stated father or mother J.T. Caiazza.
Caiazza stated his insurance coverage firm will not cowl the price of a rental till he’s again in the US.
For now, his household of 5 is counting on different households for lifts to the match.
Organizers stated the ordeal has given the match a black eye.
“We have really had some suggestions saying that groups will not be wanting to return to Montreal due to this. It isn’t an remoted occasion,” stated Gomez.
The sector’s basic supervisor stated an identical incident occurred just a few weeks in the past throughout one other occasion.
Whereas there are safety cameras within the parking zone, they do not present full protection and did not catch the thefts.
In response to the automobile thefts, the match organizers have taken quick motion. The rear exit of the parking zone, the place the thefts occurred, has been closed off. Moreover, non-public safety has been employed.
Paradoxically, there’s a police station subsequent door to the world — a patrol automobile is now parked exterior.
“We recognize the cooperation that the rink is placing collectively. And we’re going to have coaches and oldsters be extra vigilant and simply maintain a watch out,” stated Gomez.
Caiazza stated he nonetheless has no thought the way to get his household dwelling to New Jersey.
“When you may get away with it, you simply go and do it. So I am not stunned about something anymore. These are the instances we stay in. Sadly, nobody cares about something,” he stated.
The match runs till Sunday.
